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Page last updated at 17:31 GMT, Saturday, 24 April 2010 18:31 UK

Neil Robertson comeback denies Martin Gould in thriller

Date: 17 April-3 May 2010 Venue: The Crucible, Sheffield
Coverage: Live coverage each day on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website (UK only), updates on BBC Radio 5 Live. Full TV schedule
Davis v Higgins & Dott v Maguire : Live from 1000 BST, Saturday


Neil Robertson

Robertson seals comeback over Gould

Neil Robertson completed a stunning comeback to deny qualifier Martin Gould a first ranking quarter-final and earn a last-eight clash with Steve Davis.

The Australian world number nine trailed 6-0 early on and 11-5 overnight against the former croupier ranked 46.

But the blond left-hander rattled off five frames in a row to make it 10-11 before Gould edged a nervy 22nd frame to move within one of an upset win.

Robertson held his nerve though to take three in a row for a 13-12 victory

Last year's semi-finalist will renew Crucible acquaintances on Tuesday with Davis, who he hammered 10-2 in the first round last year.

The wheels came off at 150mph into a brick wall

Martin Gould

It was a heartbreaking conclusion for Englishman Gould, who knocked out former finalist Nigel Bond in qualifying and beat Hong Kong's Marco Fu in the first round proper.

He surged into a 6-0 lead on Friday with some stunning snooker and after Robertson reduced his deficit to 6-2, Gould took the second session 5-3 for a commanding 11-5 overnight lead.

"At times I thought he nicked Ronnie (O'Sullivan)'s soul, everything was going in," Robertson said later. "At 11-5 down, I feel I didn't do anything wrong.

"I took inspiration from Shaun Murphy when he did it against Matthew Stevens [Murphy came back from 12-7 down to beat the Welshman 13-12 in 2007].

"I thought 'never give up no matter what the score is'. I am not that far behind."

606: DEBATE
stevieboyc

Robertson knocked in breaks of 64 and 112 to launch his fightback and Gould did not manage a break over 30 in the final session until the final frame, when a run of 40 made the early running.

But Robertson responded with a cool 52 to edge in front before sealing victory on the colours.

"I knew if Martin got in again it was probably all over," Robertson told BBC Sport. "But I potted a fantastic red and under pressure, that 52 was one of the best breaks I have ever made.

"To do that, with the Crucible to yourself, is one of the best feelings of my career."

While there was elation for Robertson, Gould was left to rue missing out on what would have been the biggest win of his career.

"The wheels came off at 150mph into a brick wall," he told BBC Sport. "I really don't know what happened.

"I felt really good all day but it just didn't come off for me."



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see also
Latest scores and order of play
20 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Davis leads Higgins at Crucible
22 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Ebdon hits out at Hearn proposals
22 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Ebdon drops out of world's top 16
22 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Evans invited to play against men
21 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Frustrated Day bemoans poor year
22 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Davis defeats King in final frame
21 Apr 10 |  Snooker
O'Sullivan through despite wobble
20 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Ask the snooker experts
25 Apr 10 |  Snooker
World Championship draw
15 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Century breaks
17 Apr 10 |  Snooker
Snooker on the BBC
24 Jan 10 |  Snooker


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